Napolitano: Obama Spying on Press 'Tyranny'

The proposal by President Barack Obama to send federal agents to monitor newsrooms to question what news stories they planned on covering signaled a "new era of tyranny," Judge Andrew Napolitano said, but added he didn't believe the measure would survive scrutiny.

"This is a radical new era of tyranny for the White House. I can't imagine it getting to first base," Napolitano, a former New Jersey Superior Court judge, told "Fox & Friends" Thursday.

The initiative by the Federal Communications Commission would send agents directly into newsrooms to probe reporters, editors, station owners and publishers about their decisions on stories they planned to run. Napolitano called the move "absolutely chilling."

"Chilling is a term of art to people that study the Constitution. And, it basically means you are afraid to express yourself fully because the federal agents are looking over your shoulder," he said.

Napolitano explained the First Amendment freedoms of the press and speech were not only "necessary and vital," but "absolutely guaranteed in the First Amendment beyond dispute." He said there was "no case that stands for the contrary of that proposition," and indicated he did not think the proposal would withstand a challenge.

The FCC proposal, as it stood, was voluntary, Napolitano explained, but added "all these things start out a voluntary."

The proposal by President Barack Obama to send federal agents to monitor newsrooms to question what news stories they planned on covering signaled a new era of tyranny, Judge Andrew Napolitano said, but added he didn't believe the measure would survive scrutiny.
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